Sinclair's Cottage

The brick cottage built in 1864 on the main walk is known as Sinclair’s Cottage

James Sinclair arrived in Australia, accompanied by his wife and daughter, in December 1852. James Sinclair was born in Morayshire in North Scotland in 1809.   His father was head curator to Sir William Gordon Cumming, whose estate “Altyre” was famous particularly for its Rhododendrons and Geraniums. As a young child James showed great talent in drawing and watercolour painting. Later on he made a name for himself for his skill in drawing plants. In 1838 at the age of 29 James went to Russia to design and plant Prince Woronzoff estates in the Crimea. James introduced the Pear and Apple to the Crimea and also planted Tobacco. Czar Nicholas was so impressed that he borrowed James to assist in the laying out of the Royal Gardens at St. Petersburg, in appreciation of what he did, the Czar decorated James with the “Imperial Russian Order of St. Anne”. The Prince introduced him to Miss Mary Anne Cooper, they fell in love, married and lived in a house in the grounds of the Palace. Their first child, Malvina Anne, was born on Russian soil. Before the outbreak of the Crimean War the Sinclairs went back to England.   In 1854 the Sinclairs arrived in Melbourne at the time when Fitzroy Square was being developed. The Parks Lands Committee engaged James in the development of Fitzroy Square. James planted many of the Elm Avenues. James also produced a unique collection of native prints, a large collection of delicately drawn ferns, all named, gum-leaf varieties, some coloured. "The Australian Gardeners' Chronicle", James edited and published beginning in June 1855.

James Sinclair had three daughters, Malvina Anne, Exilena Mary, Eliza Jemima and one son, James William, one daughter died at a very young age. Malvina Anne born in Crimea, and the other children born in Melbourne. Some years after the death of his first wife, Mary Anne Cooper, James marries again to Ellen Roberts who helps him complete his drawings of ferns and plants. James dies at the age of 72 on 29^th April, 1881 in the Cottage in the gardens.